Coal dust killed Burnley man (83)

Published:15:39Monday 21 September 2015

An elderly man who spent years working in coal mines died due to high levels of coal dust in his body, an inquest heard.

Mario Parenti (83), of Belvedere Road, Burnley, suffered from extensive fibrosis due to pneumoconiosis , also known as black lung disease, as a result of breathing in dust from coal over a number of years.

Burnley Coroner’s Court heard how Mr Parenti’s health had deteriorated in recent months due to his chest issues.

Dr Aslam, a pathologist at Royal Blackburn Hospital who conducted a post-mortem examination, said: “He was showing significant fibrosis due to his condition, there was evidence of it in his heart too meaning it was struggling to get blood and oxygen to parts of his body due to the narrowing vessels.

“His lungs were also full of coal dust and that was quite apparent on the post-mortem.”

East Lancashire Coroner Mr Richard Taylor said: “It’s quite apparent that his deteriorating health and death were down to the coal dust.

“Because of that information, I believe the only conclusion I can draw is that he died from industrial disease.”